Let's be honest - finding a good painter in Queenstown or Wanaka is like finding a rental under $800/week. They exist, but you need to know where to look and what questions to ask.

After 15 years in the trade and having worked alongside most of the painters in the Wakatipu Basin, I'm going to share what I wish every homeowner knew before hiring a painter. No fluff, just the stuff that actually matters when you're about to drop thousands on a paint job.

The Real Cost of Painting in Queenstown/Wanaka (2024 Prices)

Let's start with what everyone wants to know - what should you actually pay?

Interior Painting:

• Basic 3-bedroom home: $8,000 - $12,000
• High-end finishes: $15,000 - $25,000
• Per room (walls and ceiling): $800 - $1,500

Exterior Painting:

• Weatherboard home: $12,000 - $20,000
• Plaster home: $10,000 - $18,000
• Cedar home: $15,000 - $30,000

Day rates:

• Qualified painter: $400 - $550/day
• Apprentice: $250 - $350/day

If someone's quoting significantly below these ranges, ask yourself why. Are they cutting corners? Using cheap paint? Not including proper prep? There's always a reason.

The 5 Questions That Reveal Everything

Forget the small talk. Here's what to actually ask:

1. "What's included in your prep work?"

Good answer: "We'll wash, sand, fill holes, prime bare surfaces, and mask everything properly." Red flag: "We'll give it a light sand and get painting."

Prep work is 80% of a quality paint job. Bad prep = peeling paint in 18 months.

2. "What paint are you using and why?"

Good answer: Specific brands with reasons - "Dulux Weathershield for your exterior because it handles UV better at altitude." Red flag: "Whatever's cheapest at Mitre 10."

Paint quality matters. The difference between cheap and quality paint is about $500 on a whole house but adds years to the job.

3. "What's your payment schedule?"

Good answer: "20% deposit, progress payments, final on completion." Red flag: "50% upfront" or "Cash only, paid in full before we start."

Never pay more than 30% upfront. Ever.

4. "What happens if something goes wrong?"

Good answer: "We have insurance and offer a written warranty." Red flag: Silence, subject change, or "She'll be right."

5. "Can you start tomorrow?"

Good answer: "We're booked for 3-4 weeks but can schedule you in." Red flag: "Yeah, we can start right away!"

Good painters are booked. If they're immediately available in peak season, ask why.

Red Flags That Should Send You Running

• No fixed address or just a mobile number - Every legitimate business has more than a cell phone
• Won't provide a written quote - Verbal quotes aren't worth the air they're spoken into
• Asks for cash only - Tax dodging that'll bite you if anything goes wrong
• Can't show recent local work - Everyone has phone photos these days
• Pressure tactics - "This price is only good today"
• Suspiciously cheap - You get what you pay for, especially in Queenstown

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Scaffolding: $2,000 - $5,000 for a two-story home. Often not included in quotes.

Colour changes: Want to go from dark to light? Budget extra for additional coats.

Repairs: Rotten weatherboards, damaged gib - always costs more than quoted.

Weather delays: In Queenstown/Wanaka, add 20% to any timeline given.

Moving furniture: Some painters include it, others charge $500+.

Three Local Painters Actually Worth Calling

After years in the industry, here are three painters I'd trust with my own home:

Little Dog Decorating (Queenstown)

Reliable, hardworking team that shows up when they say they will. They're particularly good with interior work and have a solid reputation for being on time and on budget. Great for residential repaints where you need someone trustworthy. Best for: Interior repaints, exterior repaints, occupied homes Contact: littledogdecorating.co.nz

Lakeside Painting (Wanaka)

Been around long enough to know what works in Central Otago's climate. They understand the specific challenges of painting at altitude - UV damage, extreme temperature swings, and those brutal nor'westers. Good warranty on their work. For specialized wallpaper installation and removal in Wanaka, Wanaka Wallpapering offers expert service - from modern feature walls to complete wallpaper removals. Best for: Exterior weatherboard homes, cedar restoration, interior repaints Contact: lakesidepainting.co.nz

LC Decorating (Queenstown/Wanaka)

Newer outfit but doing quality work. The owner is young, hungry, and actually cares about the finish. They're building their reputation on attention to detail rather than speed, which is refreshing in this market. Best for: High-end finishes, feature walls Contact: Find them online

The Timing Game (When to Paint & When to Wait)

Best months for exterior: November - March (but book in September)

Best months for interior: April - October (when you're not competing with exterior work)

Worst time: January (everyone's booked, prices peak, weather's unpredictable)

Pro tip: Book your winter interior paint job in March for better rates.

What About DIY?

Look, I painted houses for years before moving into web development. Here's my honest take:

DIY makes sense for:

• Single rooms
• Garden sheds
• If you have 3x the time you think you need
• If you enjoy physical work

Hire a pro for:

• Whole house exteriors
• Anything over 3 meters high
• Cedar homes (easy to destroy with wrong technique)
• If your time is worth more than $50/hour

The Warranty Question

A real warranty should cover:

• Peeling or flaking (minimum 5 years)
• Fading (2-3 years reasonable in Central Otago)
• Workmanship defects

If they won't put it in writing, their warranty isn't worth anything.

Final Advice From Someone Who's Been There

1. Get three quotes. Not for price shopping, but to understand the scope differences.

2. Check their work in person. Photos lie. Drive past a house they've painted.

3. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

4. Pay for quality once rather than cheap twice. Repainting because someone cut corners costs double.

5. Get everything in writing. Verbal agreements mean nothing when things go wrong.

The truth is, painting your home is one of those jobs where cutting corners today costs thousands tomorrow. Take the time to find the right painter, ask the hard questions, and pay for quality work.

Your future self (and your home's value) will thank you.

Need a reliable painter in Queenstown or Wanaka? The three companies mentioned above are good starting points. Always get multiple quotes and check references before committing to anyone.